Tom Van Der Borght (Q9354)

Tom Van Der Borght says his creations are only finished when he cannot add anything more. The looks in the Belgian designer’s opening show of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin did this idea justice: Elaborate psychedelic outfits including head pieces and garments made with macramé and plastic strips, brightly colored overalls, and glittered faces told the story of a hopeful, more inclusive idea of fashion.The collection is part of a bigger artistic vision called “7 ways to be TVDB” in which the designer investigates the idea of non-normativity. As a queer person with a disability, he shares his experiences not only through neon-pink embroideries or a sparkling silver sequin suit, but also hyper-personal items like pins or prints imprinted with his face.For the show, Tom Van Der Borght collaborated with Blanca Li, a Spanish dancer and choreographer he’s admired for a long time. Last year, they connected at the International Festival of Hyères where he won the top prize and the audience award for his collection.Li based the show’s choreography around Van Der Borght’s sketchbook, turning it into a performance piece. Among others, a horse-masked troupe in underpants marching down the catwalk alluded to his goal of making sure that everything he does goes one step further than a typical fashion brand. He seems to be succeeding.